hinterfragen
Translation
to question, to scrutinize, to examine critically
Examples
Man sollte alles kritisch hinterfragen.
One should critically question everything.
Er hinterfragt die Entscheidungen seines Chefs.
He questions his boss's decisions.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) hinterfragen to question sth. We have to question the old methods.
Similar Words
Synonyms: kritisieren, prüfen, anzweifeln; Antonyms: akzeptieren, hinnehmen
Etymology
From 'hinter' (behind) and 'fragen' (to ask). It literally means 'to ask behind' something, i.e., to look for the reasons and motives behind it.
Memory Tips
Think of 'asking' ('fragen') what is 'behind' ('hinter') the surface of a statement or situation.